A firefighter lost his life after suffering a cardiac emergency while performing suppression work on the Dragon Bravo fire, which has consumed more than 145,000 acres near the Grand Canyon. Authorities expressed condolences to the family and opened an investigation.

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team confirmed that a line-of-duty death occurred Monday on the Dragon Bravo Fire burning in northern Arizona.

The firefighter was involved in suppression repairs near the North Rim Intake Station when he suffered a cardiac emergency. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Authorities did not immediately release the victim's name.

Reactions and Condolences

In a statement, the interagency team said their “hearts go out to the firefighter's family and friends.”

“The wildland firefighting community is inherently interagency, and an in-the-line death impacts us all. We deeply appreciate this firefighter's dedication to his profession and to the communities threatened by wildfires,” they said.

The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's office have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the emergency.

At the same time, support is being provided to colleagues and peers who continue to fight the fire.

The Dragon Bravo Fire

The fire started on July 4 after a lightning and spread rapidly due to strong northwesterly winds recorded on July 11, which are unusual for the area.

As of Tuesday, the fire has burned more than 145,000 acres and is 80% contained, according to Inciweb.

The Grand Canyon North Rim will remain closed for the remainder of the 2025 season, according to the National Park Service.